Over break, my life was enriched by a visit with my best friend, Mel. It was the very best gift a gal could get for Christmas. I have not seen Mel since I was 5 months pregnant and I felt like I was going a bit crazy. She has been my best friend for half my life and is more like a sister. She flew in early and surprised me at Red Robin. Aaron was in on the surprise and was wonderful enough to capture the moment.
Here is one of the many nights that we went out and had a few! This night we were at the Swiss and we had SUCH a great time!
Here is a photo with Mel's badge. She has always wanted to be a police officer and I remember when she became a mother at such a young age...she wasn't sure if that would happen. I am SO proud of her determination and faith. She NEVER gives up and is an inspiration to all.
It is a tradition to sing a song for Melly. I don't sing all that much anymore but always for her.
The fam came out to celebrate Melly's return home!
This is our standard pose. I think I have about two hundred pics of us like this :-).
Great times with the fam!
There it is...don't blink. The infamous sweater. Shiree (love her!!!) made a comment...the sweater ended up in the garbage. The rest is forever one of my favorite drunk stories!
Mom, Melly, and Meg. The three M's!
Love these girls! I have known them all since high school!
Ava was SO happy to see her godmother for the first time!
This is Melly and I saying goodbye. Is it obvious I don't want her to go? I got in my car and sobbed. It's like a piece of me is gone:-( However, it makes me appreciate her all the more. Can't wait for the next visit. Vegas anyone?
This year (especially with my mom's cancer scare) we decided to exchange the gift of a family experience for Christmas. We went to Suncadia for a fun (and hilarious) filled weekend! 
The crew...so many family memories together...now we have one more!
Here we all are on the stairs in the house. We had sucha great time together!
This is the tubing hill. It has a rope tow to get you back up. Chad's rope broke and I was behind him so I told him...don't worry...I got you. Then I promptly let him go... (he was heavy!). It happened again with Keri and Aaron caught her...and carried her all the way up. I guess blood is not necessarily thicker:-) You had to be there to get the humor...
What a cute fam!
Ava didn't go tubing but she loved watching!
Malia's first time ice skating!!! She was great!!!
The whole fam playing cards and gambling...just a little bit!
Here are the girls...these are two chairs pushed together.It became like a big comfy crib!
